The actual scrolls are rarely allowed to travel in exhibits out of their native
Israel. However, scholars from the church's Brigham Young University are among researchers
working to catalog and decipher the scrolls. About 10 years ago, these scholars
turned their work into a small, traveling exhibit to help make real to people the
marvel of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
The exhibit includes life-sized facsimiles of some
of the most famous scrolls, including the famed Isaiah Scroll, the ancient scriptural
commentary, the Habakkuk Pesher, and the Manual of Discipline of the Qumran community,
among others. The display also includes artifacts such as inkwells and coins found
in the Qumran area, home to the scribes of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Visitors will learn
about the Sons of Light, the mysterious Jewish community who created and then buried
the scrolls sometime around Jewish revolt of 70 A.D.
The tour includes a brief video
introduction and a personal, cassette recording of the four-part tour. The recordings
are available in a variety of languages including Spanish, German and French.
Elder
Glenn Potter, Director of the Hill Cumorah Visitors Center, said he hopes visitors
will be drawn by the consistent interest in these ancient scriptures.
"These are
the earliest scriptures known," he said. "These are significant to everyone."
The
exhibit is open Jan. 2 to May 31, 2008. The Hill Cumorah Visitors Center, 603
State Route 21, is open Mon.-Sat. from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 12:30 p.m.
to 6 p.m. Admission is free.
For more information, call 315-597-5851.
A series of
visiting scholars (yet to be announced) will lecture on the scrolls at different times during the three-month
display. Their appearances will be announced later and are open to the public.
The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit was
prepared by Brigham Young University and has been on tour in several European countries
and North America. |
